7 Status Updates To Post On LinkedIn When In A Job Search

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If you’re like many of my clients, you know you need to be more active on LinkedIn. But, you feel like you don’t know where to start. Right?

Once you get a professional headshot up and your summary written, there’s a lot to tackle. Should you be more active in LinkedIn Answers? Participate in discussions in Groups? Start listing the books you’ve read? Where to begin?

To avoid feeling overwhelmed, you might want to start with the familiar. You are probably already on Facebook (as there are now almost one billion users, it’s kind of hard to avoid). If you feel pretty comfortable posting status updates to your friends, why not start using LinkedIn with that same approach?

It’s not terribly different. You’re sharing the things that interest you, or that will be helpful to the people you know. It’s just in the professional realm instead of the personal. (Although if you are in an industry that relies on a personal connection, I think it’s OK to blur the lines slightly.)

Just like Facebook, you are sharing things that represent your interests and personality. The difference is that you’re keeping it professional and building your personal brand. If you’re not familiar with personal branding, you can learn a bit about this by reading my post, “Why You Should Care About Personal Branding.”

Basically, it’s the essence of who you are at work. Your posts on LinkedIn can be a huge tool in promoting your brand. It can help your network get to know what you are all about professionally. With the right types of posts, they’ll soon appreciate your expertise!

So, back to the question, where do you start? And, if you are going to start with status updates, what posts should a job seeker be making? Well, I can tell you what you don’t want to post!

Please do not post, “I’m in a job hunt, anyone have leads for me? Who’s hiring?” This screams desperation. Plus, it’s not specific enough to have your network help you.

So, to let the world know you are looking, without saying it directly, you’ve got some options. Post about:

1. Networking events, meetings, or seminars you are attending. (“Having a great time at my weekly job club!”)
2. People you are meeting in your search. (“Got some great tips from my job search coach today!”) Give them kudos and recommendations, when appropriate.
3. Links to helpful articles, websites, blog posts, or videos written by well-respected subject matter experts that your network will benefit from. (“These are some insightful points about the rebound of the _______ market.”)
4. Links to blog posts or articles you write to showcase your skills and knowledge. (“I’d love to know your thoughts on this newest technology…”)
5. Continuing education classes you’ve signed up for, certifications you are working on, or conferences you are participating in. (“In the final stretch to completing my Academy Certified Resume Writer.”)
6. Companies that you are interested in. Interviews you are preparing for or have completed. (“I’m very interested in opportunities at Dell. Does anyone have experience interviewing with them? Please send me a message!”)
7. Questions you have that your network can help you with. (“What’s your best answer to ‘Tell me your greatest weakness?’”)

A lot of people shyly ask me, “What do I have to say about those things that people will really want to read?” Everyone has a unique perspective. Yours might be from an angle others hadn’t thought of. What unique experience do you have with this subject? Don’t sell yourself short!

It does take a bit of guts to put yourself out there to the world. Doing so could lead to a great opportunity for you! Through these more subtle posts, it’s just a matter of time before a contact asks if you’re available for an interview, or you get contacted by a recruiter.

I’ve seen it happen. Take the leap of faith!

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31 Comments

1. 

   KN

   May 19, 2013 at 11:10 AM

   These are not good recommendations. There are much better ways to utilize LinkedIn for networking in your job search than essentially screaming through a megaphone. Find contacts at the companies you want to work for, and then take advantage of being a 2nd or 3rd connection. Reach out to THOSE people. Don’t let your entire network on LinkedIn know you’re desperate for a job. Intelligence 101.. Much more attractive to prospective employers.

   Reply
2. 

   marquis

   May 16, 2013 at 1:06 AM

   Roy,

   You and everybody else can call it what you want. I call it how I see it! My attitude is just fine, if you don’t like my feelings about linkedin, stop talking to me! Those are my experiences on linkedin not yours or anybody else’s, so don’t tell me I have a bad attitude in life! Don’t tell me how I’m suppose to feel too.

   I am not like everybody else. I don’t go around listening to Michele Bachmann or any political leader thinking oh they are here to save us, puh-lease! Why can’t you and other people do simple research using critical thinking (like what we were taught in college/high school or used it on jobs), and find out your OWN answers yourself about what is going on out there and stop paying attention to the news? Educate yourself! Nevermind what some fool on linkedin has to offer, that’s Average Joe out there for all you know!

   As stated before, I do not bow down to linkedin nor is it my God! I’m close-minded? lmao wow, just smart. Smart enough to catch onto BS when it is too good to be true. I don’t understand why you and some others are so “offended” with “hurt feelings” about my issues with linkedin and why I don’t like it.

   I’m very immune to BS and can catch it in a flash. I didn’t ask for any help on my linkedin profile, all I am doing is stating my issues with the site and the users. Nothing on there but old, washed up, has-been laid off employees who are just realizing their careers came to an end and now they are seeing reality. In my previous posts, did I ever ask anyone to help me with my linkedin profile? If you can find it let me know, but if not, that tells you something!

   That’s fine you don’t agree, but I have many other people who do agree with me. I have read articles on what comes out with these ridiculous ways of landing a job and if it sounds like BS, then chances are it is! How is that close-minded? I am not the sucker who keeps believing in lies and expecting the entire government to solve my problems. If gov would do the simple things, we wouldn’t be in this mess, but they have no interest in making things right.

   I took research seriously, did my own research, and came up with my own conclusions. You sound like a typical linkedin user always pissed off because nobody won’t agree with you, is this the way of us job seekers needing to keep our lips browner? Linkedin is not all that like I said another gossip site! Those people call themselves “professionals” really need to go to etiquette school because of what I have seen is just pure nastiness and degrading.

   I still keep up and do research about the job market or any other clever lie that comes up. I don’t see any job seeker doing that so busy sitting on the couch watching the news! We are dumb down enough in America, in case you haven’t heard that yet either.

   Do you feel better telling me I have a bad attitude? At least I laugh because once something I say is true and it comes up with another job seeker finding it out too and we all hear about it, I am always the one telling the ones with their heads in the sand, ‘told you so! No way, you didn’t want to do any research, just sit back and enjoy your measeley unemployment check. How’s that working for you?’

   I’m very attuned to what’s going on, again, so much for a bad attitude lol. Like I said, I heard enough “job advice” (if that’s what you wanna call it) that is so far fetch and outside the ball park, that it is not worth listening to anymore. Apparently, nobody has the answers about landing a job with gaps in our resumes (volunteering isn’t cutting it as it doesn’t cover the gaps like people seem to think and talked to some people where it has been used against them, I finally felt it after having employers call me about job offers).

   I don’t need to have my lips brown to get a job like the fools on linkedin have to do that! You gotta wonder do people in America ever read? My god, I see more people just believe anything that comes out of politicians, news, Rush Limbaugh’s mouths! It’s called discernment something we never were able to master in America.

   So, anyway, if the site works for you then two thumbs up for you! It does nothing for me, absolutely nothing at all for me! I am not wasting my time arguing, if you are so “unemployed” or whatever it is, you seem to have a lot of time on your hands on this article telling me off.

   Reply
   • 

     Roy Filer

     May 16, 2013 at 2:54 AM

     Marquis, my point has been proved by your rant. You’ve made references with assumed knowledge that is clearly misguided, and nobody has tried to tell you your experiences are wrong. Your experience is yours but people here have tried to offer insight into how it can work by sharing their experiences and knowledge. It’s not just what they have read (your assumption). If you genuinely want to seek advice and learn about managing your career you’d be more open to the help offered here and less hostile in your remarks. I wish you well in your future.

     Reply
3. 

   jayne

   May 12, 2013 at 7:30 PM

   I like the tone of LinkedIn, the connections, the banter, and the general coopertition feel of it all. Though, it was also a bit of a meat market, where people from my earlier years sought me out, more for a date than for professional pursuits. And, I am not necessarily in love with having connections to former coworkers either. I know that’s odd, because it goes against the idea of networking. There are networking pitfalls, and having all your information online definitely has drawbacks.

   Reply
4. 

   David

   May 11, 2013 at 9:46 AM

   Marquis, I would like to see your Linkedin profile if you do not mind. I have attended several meetings on getting the profile right to stand out. With so many people on Linkedin, if you do not stand out on the profile, you are not going to get a call from anyone. I am more than willing to help you, and I am not going to try and sell you anything. Let me know if you are open to help.

   Reply
   • 

     marquis

     May 13, 2013 at 4:36 PM

     How many times do I have to say it, David, that I am not interested in using linkedin to find employment? Again, I have zero interest in listening to the older adults’ problems from back in the day, how jobs were better back then, blah blah blah.

     Maybe you should read the negative reviews of that site from past users, maybe you shouldn’t act like linkedin is some kind of God. I got tired of changing my linkedin profile over and over, waste of time. I want employment not sitting here on the computer wasting my time making these connections from people I don’t know and who knows if they can help me land a job.

     I’d rather make connections from people in person not a website with a lot of people who are so oblivious to the job market.

     Reply
     • 

       Paul C

       May 14, 2013 at 12:16 AM

       I would agree with Roy

       Reply
     • 

       Roy Filer

       May 14, 2013 at 3:59 PM

       I’m not sure what you’ve been reading about older people’s problems but I’ve found an endless supply of articles providing advice on career management, ways to improve traffic to your website, leadership and so much more. Depending on what your interests or needs are there is a wealth of information. Perhaps look for or set up your own group that will act as a forum for specific information where people ask questions that you could actively participate in. I t may not giv you a job yet but it exercises skills. Seek and ye shall find.

       Reply
       • 

         marquis

         May 15, 2013 at 1:46 PM

         I have read the same articles, some are pretty good, while most of it doesn’t apply to me. I never held a job where I had to use leadership, never had my own website or knowing how to direct traffic to my site, business sense, etc.

         There are other articles where I didn’t agree with them either. I wouldn’t waste my time making a group myself on linkedin, that site must be your God or something still trying to convince me I can get some use out of it. Linkedin is just another gossip site too aka facebook and twitter.

         Reply
         • 

           Roy Filer

           May 15, 2013 at 3:53 PM

           Sadly, Marquis, your attitude to this is only a reflection of your attitude to everything else. If you are only going to take from things and not put anything back into them then this will be seen by people hiring. You don’t have to agree with everything you read or see, but actively taking part will exercise skill and can provide learning if you want it. It will be detrimental to you if you only seek out things that support your existing opinions. It seems you’re closed-minded to anything else and you cannot be helped until you open your mind to possibilities. It’s a self-fulfilling prophesy. If you say it won’t work, it won’t work. If you say it could work then it could work. That’s up to you. LinkedIn is not a god to me but provides a wealth of knowledge we can tap into.
5. 

   marquis

   May 7, 2013 at 5:34 PM

   I would never use linkedin again for finding jobs and making connections. Why am I making connections with people on there that I don’t even know?

   Not one person on there has actually helped me land a job anywhere! False hope, false advice, outdated job advice, etc! Maybe other people might benefit from linkedin, but for me and only me, I do not benefit from it.

   Reply
   • 

     Roy Filer

     May 8, 2013 at 9:44 PM

     LinkedIn is not about what others can do for you—at least it’s not the sole reason. If this is your only purpose on LinkedIn, then you’ll be disappointed. It’s a space of mutual benefit by sharing knowledge and insight, and anything of professional interest to your connections and groups you’ve joined. What you get out of it is a side-effect of your presence. As for connecting to people you don’t know – that’s a choice the individual makes, but my preference is to connect with people who I believe are relevant to my work and career goals, and because there’s a connnection through work, not because they’ve randomly asked to connect.

     Reply
   • 

     Andrew Ray

     May 10, 2013 at 1:22 PM

     Marquis, it sounds to me like you need to do a little more research, both into how LinkedIn can work positively for you, and in the people you’re choosing to contact there. I just read your previous rant. I’ve had no one I connected with or sent inmails to give me “business opportunity” BS. I haven’t gotten a hit yet, but I’ve gotten some very good advice on how to try and break into some specific jobs that are great positions but really hard to get. I’ve also connected to a bunch of recruiters who I never knew recruited for my location.

     From what you wrote, it sounds like you make use of LinkedIn by connecting to anyone who contacts you, and it sounds like you need to change your own posting style too. The only time I’ve heard of anyone specifically asking for job leads, it was when the person was talking specifically to a recruiter who had posted about other jobs. All you’re doing when you ask for job leads is (like the article says) making yourself sound desperate. You need to show a genuine interest in the people you’re connecting with (or even just contacting) if they’re decision makers in a company you might want to work for, and be at least courteous to recruiters or non-decision makers.

     Anyone in sales can tell you, when you’re trying to sell something you don’t focus on the product’s characteristics, you focus on the potential buyer and try and explain how the product would be great for him or her. In this case, you’re trying to sell yourself. There are thousands of posts every day of random people asking for leads or declaring they are “looking for new opportunities”. Those posts are just, like Roy said in reply, them asking what other people can do for them. They – and apparently you – need instead to post so that you demonstrate what you can do for them, because eventually one of them will be hiring, or will have a friend who is a decision maker and say to them “Histology, huh? Oh, there’s this guy I see posting in LinkedIn’s Cell Bio group about histology, maybe he’d work for you?” That’s how you make LinkedIn work for you – not by expecting them to help land you a job.

     Reply
     • 

       marquis

       May 10, 2013 at 4:22 PM

       Andrew,

       the site doesn’t work, heard many negative reviews than anything else. I was told you join it and make connections plus find work as well.

       I don’t need to try to make my profile on there any different, already did that before and nothing. Most people whom I have spoken to who used linkedin before told me they went on there expecting to find work.

       As stated before, the advice I have gotten on linkedin was terrible. You don’t tell people who have zero income and need to rebuild their assets again to spend money on something they do not have. What kind of business common sense is that? I hate when they tell me why don’t you borrow money from others? I don’t need or want too.

       If I wanted to waste money on a business that they sent me to my email, then I’d rather use my own money if I had it. I had a couple recruiters contact me locally only to find out I am not even qualified for the positions – deleted those emails.

       Why would I keep using a site that is not working for me? That makes zero sense to me. I had people tell me oh keep trying linkedin, blah blah blah, it will work. It has not worked for me at all! I have zero interest in the older professional’s generation when jobs were plentiful then (I am 27 why do I care about 50 years ago?).

       They still tell me old, outdated job info from 10 years ago and expecting it to work to this day – that is the definition of insanity.

       Making myself sound desperate? Who isn’t desperate in this economy?!? I mean, try applying to over 100 jobs a day/weekly trying to find some kind of work to get an income coming in. The whole country is desperate on finding work, don’t know why that is still new to people.

       You won’t believe the rudeness I have gotten on there when I simply stated to these users I have no interest in what they are offering me and told them why. I had so many different people tell me enjoy being “just over broke (J-O-B),” or “look at all the money I make and you don’t,” tell me how is that professional?

       We got wonderful ideas on starting a business, but like I always say, nobody wants to talk about the financial part of it. The users on there keep referring me to crap I have no interest in or don’t qualify for.

       When I say on my profile, open to new opportunities, I am not talking about a sales job/business opportunity, I am seeking a different field to work in for a JOB! If it requires absolutely no experience for a college grad from 2010 like me to start in something, gain new skills, and get an income.

       I don’t feel any of those users have a right to tell me what they think I should do for work and that is always the problem I have on that site!

       I’d rather use google plus for business, at least the users on there don’t have an attitude problem like the ones on linkedin do. At least the conversations on there is much more better, intelligent, with educated individuals not those who still have their head so far up their butts.

       Reply
   • 

     Joe

     May 12, 2013 at 8:13 AM

     Marquis, your online network will not be any better than your offline network. You need to work on building your offline network. You can’t just connect with someone virtually and expect them to hire you or recommend you for a job, that is just too much risk.

     Secondly, I would say you will used LinkedIn again for a job search because more and more companies are scouring LinkedIn directly for candidates as opposed to relying on external headhunters. If you want to be visible to their HR departments, you will be on LinkedIn.

     You sound like you are just starting out in your career or fairly young. Over time you will make connections and build your network, but focus on doing it offline. That means doing things that may seem “old school” like attending networking events and conferences where you can make connections.

     Reply
     • 

       marquis

       May 13, 2013 at 4:54 PM

       I will use linkedin again? What are you a guru or someone who can tell the future? I know people who don’t used linkedin and to say that proves right there not everybody wants to be on linkedin. I know employers use linkedin, good for them, doesn’t mean I have too. I am 27 and haven’t started in career don’t see how I will because of the degree I have you need certifications and over 5 years of IT experience such a waste of time when I graduated in 2010. 2008 is the reason why all of the “job rules” changed.

       I don’t have to use any site that isn’t working for me, seems like that is problem for some of you on here because it doesn’t work for me, it works for you and should work for me. I was told you go on linkedin and hope you get employment somewhere.

       Reply
6. 

   Michael Milligan

   December 12, 2012 at 2:35 PM

   The point is not so much that people can tell you’re unemployed, it’s how you put it. Communicate with CONFIDENCE, sans any hint of shame. If you don’t feel confident – and I’ve been there – fake it and write like you are. If you can’t write with confidence, get a friend to do it.

   What you want to do is paint the image of a person who loves to work and can’t wait for the next challenge. If you want people to know you’re looking for work, you can do that and still paint a very positive image of a “doer”, by focusing on what you DID instead of what you ARE. Here’s how I generally put it:

   - “I just finished a contract” or,
   - “I just completed a project” or even,
   - “I just delivered a project.”

   Instead of the image of you not working and being down, this paints a mental picture of you actually doing the contract work. Also, the phrase “I just finished” has a positive, action-oriented sound to it.

   If you want, you can add, “… and I’m ready for the next” instead of “I’m looking for work”, etc. The thing that’s wrong with “I’m looking for work” is it still paints an image of “not working.”

   BOTTOM LINE: Write it such that, anyone WHO reads your headline or update will come away with a mental image you WORKING.

   Reply
   • 

     Don Roche

     December 14, 2012 at 10:30 AM

     EXCELLENT advice, Michael! Thanks very much for sharing this. It definitely changes the dynamic in my mind…

     Reply
7. 

   Marquis

   September 2, 2012 at 3:16 AM

   The jerks on LinkedIn.com, every time I ask about job leads, I get how about a business opportunity? I didn’t ask that, why am I getting those when I didn’t ask that? I don’t know why they send me these “lack of opportunities” that I didn’t ask for and it wasn’t something I went to school for.

   A lot of them were very rude trying to force me to do what they do. I told them it needs to be what is best for me not for you, your job is selling the info to me and your sales pitch is not working on me.

   Reply
   • 

     John Camden

     May 7, 2013 at 12:05 PM

     Marquis, you are SO RIGHT!

     Reply
8. 

   Collins Nicholas Emalu

   August 23, 2012 at 4:32 AM

   On personal branding, I need to develope my character but lack resources. How can I help my self?

   Reply
9. 

   Steve Jones

   August 22, 2012 at 3:47 AM

   I think it’s a bit disingenuous of people to suggest it doesn’t make any sense. I think it makes a lot of sense.

   If you are looking for a job – particularly if you are not employed – you become invisible. Status updates keep you visible to your network. The more senior you re the more likely your job is to come from your network. If no-one has contacted you Mic it might be because your profile is not written in a way that is attractive to potential employers. I get maybe one or two headhunters a year call me – but my profile is not written to attract headhunters – so I’m OK with that!

   Reply
10. 

    Bob Eskridge

    August 20, 2012 at 12:50 PM

    Linkedin is after all a social platform, but it’s really more than that. This is your place to showcase yourself apart from the competition and staying engaged on it is very important these days.

    Reply
11. 

    Sheryl

    August 17, 2012 at 9:29 AM

    Not sure why people are having a problem with these suggestions. I think all have merit, and I do agree that posts such as “Is anyone out there hiring?” and the like reek of desperation.

    Reply
12. 

    Paula Brand

    August 16, 2012 at 9:44 PM

    I meant to add that many of these suggestions are good to do even if you’re not in a job search. They are good ideas to manage your career/brand/reputation no matter your employment status.

    Regarding what Mic and Kathy said above, I have mixed feelings. I agree, and often state to job seekers, that people do need to know you are looking in order to help you. However, I think it’s important how you do it (and I do agree there’s nothing shameful in being unemployed). In general, I am against anything that comes off as too “in your face,” self-serving or just not good marketing. For example I don’t mind “seeking new opportunity” in a profile summary but I would be against “Unemployed Career Counselor” as a headline.

    @Kathy I teach a lot of LinkedIn classes so I am happy to get a different perspective and see that this approach helped at least one person. You are the first person I know of where this tactic worked.

    Reply
13. 

    Kathy Bernard

    August 16, 2012 at 12:36 PM

    I disagree about not adding “Seeking new opportunity” or similar phrases. When recruiters seek people out, it is much easier to find available people if you notify them of that in your headline and current status section. I landed a job specifically because I added that to my headline and a connection (who previously didn’t know I was looking) recommended me for a job. How are people going to know you are job searching if you don’t tell them? There is nothing wrong with being between jobs. Many people are.

    Reply
14. 

    Mic Adam

    August 16, 2012 at 12:28 PM

    I do not think this makes any sense nor brings any jobs. I would love to hear that you have hundreds of people that got noticed like that. In the five years I have been using linkedin but NO recruiter has contacted me…. and I rely on social media heavily for my self employment job… I am open for full time positions. When I do get contacted it is to hear who I can refer to them.

    I really look forward to the success stories posted via these comments.

    Mic Adam – Vanguard Leadership

    Reply
15. 

    Jay Bernstein

    August 16, 2012 at 6:35 AM

    I don’t think most of this makes sense. At the very least, it’s too business or corporate oriented. 4 and 7 sound like good ideas though.

    Reply
16. 

    Paula Brand

    August 15, 2012 at 9:49 PM

    Great article, Kristin! If you don’t mind I’d like to hand out (with credit of course) at my LinkedIn workshops. BTW – I put in a good word for you in a Forbes contest too recently. Keep up the great work.

    Reply
    • 

      Kristin Johnson

      August 17, 2012 at 12:16 AM

      Thank you for the comments, everyone!

      Keep in mind that what has worked well for my clients, and what has been recommended to me by recruiters and hiring managers, is NOT the law. In my experience, these tips have lead to success.

      But, everyone is unique and has the ability to do try their own ideas. If it works for you, go for it! If it’s not working, try something new. No career advice is ever absolute.

      I do feel that there are more creative ways to show that you are available, without being in your face. True many people are between jobs. Reality, employers don’t see this as a plus. But, if you are in an industry that accepts this and it works for you, why not try it? I never say never.

      Paula, I’m happy to have you use this article! Thanks for the props!

      Reply
      • 

        marquis

        May 10, 2013 at 4:24 PM

        People are in between jobs and that is not a plus for employers. Well, they should see it as better than no job at all.

        Reply